Venetian blind



Dec. 13, 1938. E. M. TRAMMELL 2,139,781

VENETIAN B L IND Fil ed April 16, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 v M i ,66 igINVENTOR. [HRL M. 77?flMMEz/ A TTORNE Y.

Dec. 13, 1938. E. M. TRAMMELL 2,139,781

I VENETIAN BLIND Filed April 16, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 I N VEN TOR.

% I r 2% A M 7k4MMELL Z 20 BM 7% m Dec. 13, 1938. E. M. TRAMMELLVENETIAN BLIND Filed April 16, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 5' IVENTOR. 541w M7k4MM4 ATTO EY.

Patented Dec. 13, 1938 UNITED STATES VENE'I'IANBLIND i e I Earl M.Trammell, St. Louis,;Mo., assignor'to vHuttigSash & Door Company, St.Louis, Mo a a corporation of Delaware a a Application April 16, 19 37,Seri al N01 137,292. I j 35 Claims. (01. 156-11) I A e I ficulties havebeen overcome in'a' eertain measure This i invention relates toimprovements in Venetian blinds, and more particularly to Venetianblinds of guided type, as distinguishedfrom those. usually designated inthe trade as of free- 5 hangingtype. j

' Among the many diflicultiesheretofore prevalent in the production andinstallation of guided Venetian blinds, is notedthefactgthat the windowopenings in which the blinds are installed,

are rarely ever of exactly the same dimensions, even thoughapproximating standard widths and heights. Furthermore, in very manycases the jambs,. sills and rails which define the Window 1 openings,are rarely or truly rectangular. Otherthe jambs and thelike may be ofsubstantially even horizontal width, and yet the jambs and sills 'be.somewhat out of rectangular relation. In still other cases, irrespectiveof'correct angularity of the window-defining elements, the height of thewindow opening may be greater at either side of the opening than at theother, and every variety of, uneven width between jambs maybe pre sentedin the installation of the given lot of blinds. e

The foregoing conditions have heretofore'necessitated the manufacture ofVenetian blinds of guided typeon a tailored or custom-made basis, or incasethe elements of the blinds of a given lot were constructeduniformly, there resulted an unwarranted time and expenseof installationincident to s'himming, cutting and fitting the guide rails, head rails,and other parts of the blind to compensate for even relatively smallirregulari- 35. ties .in dimensions and .angularity of the parts of thewindows to which they were fitted} As one of its broader and majorobjectives, the present invention accordingly attains a blindassemblyiof'guided type. in'which all of the parts 40 may be constructeduniformly for windows: of each of the usual standard sizes, andwhich'may be quickly and easily installed without special ,tools,equipment-or experience; e I it Yet another object, resulting fromthefstructural provisions enabling the attainment of j the foregoingobject, is theability to change the elements of the improved blind,readily and-, easily at any time after installation, so .as tocompensate for climatic changesfchan'geslin condition of the woodelements which may be used in the assembly, and in fact any other of themany changes in conditions not. infrequently encountered. The advantagesof blindsof guided type over those of free-hanging type are well known,but it 55 may be briefly noted that those of the latter order are easilysubject to disarrangement of the slats and displacement of the blind asa whole under the influence of even moderate breezes, directioned'either inwardly or outwardly of the room 60 or window equipped with theblind. These difi wise expressed, the window openings defined by mentand construction ofi' parts.

by heretofore existing typesof guided blinds, but

fwithf only indifferent success', "because of the known likelihood ofguided blinds torattle excessively in" the guides, the tendency for theslats-to become displaced from theirdesired horizontal position, andthe-effect of incorrect lifting and lowering actuation of blinds ofguided type, which has heretofore-resulted in excessive noise and amarked tendency for the slat tenonsto' become casually andaccidentallydisengaged-from the guide grooves; It is accordingly a further importantand general objective of this invention to overcome each and allof thelast noted'difliculties.

A further inherent 'diflicultyhas heretoforeex isted in the usage ofVenetian blinds of both freehanging and guided type, in that when" theslats "are tilted in an attempt to preclude'visibility and the entranceof light, the-spaces necessarily allowed for safe working clearances atthe ends of the slats, even in Venetianblinds of guided type, f at onceprecluded anypossibility of-a light-tight closure of the slats. Thepresent invention importantly attains as a further object, through theprovision of improvements in the guide rail structhe slat tenons;facilities for insuring a lightand vision-proof blind of guided type;when the .slats aretilted forthis purpose;

As reflected'in the structural features by which example disclosed, theinvention also hasar'nong T 7 30 the foregoing general ,objectsareattained in the its objects an adjustable-hanger; 'or-bracket for thetilt rail.andtilting rriechanism, which isof an improved and'j noveltype; "an improved corner fitting or connection, enabling' a icompensating adjustment between, and a convenient assembly expedient forconnecting thehead rail and guide rails an improved self-'-lockingii'ftfbar, rendering practically impossible thecasualoraccidental displacementflof thefliftbar andfhenoeof the;

slats, from "their correct' ihorizontal' placements; the provision ofareadily andeasily adjustable various other assemblyexpedieritsiandhardware. items, as well asan improved general' arrangee. o n eildi n'lme q s Other bbi e i appear from the following detailed description'of apresentlypreferred exemplary embodiment/0t the invention, considered inconnection'with the accompanying drawings," idwhich'i Fig. 1 is'a front}elevation ot'a'vene tian blind' assembly embodying the presentimprovements,

in this figure "an irregular angular arrangement 1 of some of thepartsbeing exaggerated-for better illustration Fig. 2 1s averticalfsideelevation of the blind assemblyshown :by Fig 1; Fig.1- 3

. 25 ture and in the arrangement andconstruction of is a verticalsection through the assembly, as viewed along line 3-3 of Fig. 1; Fig. 4is a horizontal sectional elevation of the assembly of Fig. 1, as viewedalong line 4-4 thereof Figs. 5 and 6 are, respectively, 'a verticalsection and an isometric or perspective view of an adjustable brackat orhanger forthe tilting assembly; Fig. 'l is a fragmentary elevation inperspective of an improved adjustable corner bracket such'as preferablyemployed for connecting the head rail and each of the vertical or guiderails; Fig. 8 is a horizontal sectional elevation as viewed valongline8-8 of Fig. l, and illustrating particularly the lift bar andappurtenances; Fig. 9 is an end elevation of the lift her showingparticularly the v adjustable metal tenon and means for insuringautomatic leveling ,of the} bar, asv well asthe means for anchoring thefiexiblelifting element such as a wire, to the liftlbar structure; Fig.10 is an isometric view of the adjustable metal tenon, showing also' theautomatically extensible features from which, result the self-lockingproperties of the lift barf, and Fig. 11 isa fragmentary plan view ordevelopment, illustrating the lighttight andlapping relation of theadjacent slats, ,when tilted to preclude vision or the entrance oflight. a

Referring. now by characters .of reference to ,the drawings, there isindicated at 20, (Fig. 1),

the. usual windowfsill, extending'vertically from the opposite ends ofwhich; arefthe jambs (not shown), and adjacentandparallel to which aresecured the vertical guide rails 2| and 22. The

latter are connected by a transverse .head rail bridging their upperends, and designated at 23.

The preferred form of connection embodying the brackets, such as 24 and25, is hereinafter describedin more detail.

Suspended from the headrail .23, as by adjustable hangers 25 'and.2l isthe'tilt rail28, provided, preferably at one -end,'with a worm and wormgear type. of tilt mechanism indicated generally at 2 9, and actuated asthrough an endless .chain or thelike, 30. The severalslats 35 1 aresuspended in vertically [spaced relation as by a means of a plurality.of laddertapes 36, which are preferably of webbed textile construction,

and characterized by-somewhat heavy transverse cords 31 whichextendiinparallel relation between the verticals of the ladder "tape,and

. which are transversely andsomewhat vertically separable so as to.permit' each offthe slats 35 to'be. brought'undersom'e. of the cords ofeach group as shown at 31, and supported by others, as at 38'. From thisit will appear that as the blind is lifted iandthe slats are broughtinto adjacence, the intervening layer of cords will pre- Qclude directimpact of thejslats againsteach other, thus .protectingltheirf finishand cushion:

ing the adjacent slatmembers against rattling. irrespective ofthespeed'of tilting, or raising" the assembly. .1

By preference theendslof the verticals of each of the ladder tapes arebrought -into over-lapped relation and detachably secured'to the tiltrail or bar 28, as by a metal clip orthe like 40 (Fig. 3).

,The lower endfof {each of the'ladder tapes is .ladder tapesubstantially parallel at; all times.

It will appear from Fig. 1 that the tilting mech- Over the-pulleyassembly 56.

anism 29, supporting as it does one end of the tilt bar 28, provides arockable bearing for one endof the bar, while theb'racketfl provides apivoting support for the opposite end. It is thus apparent thatactuation of the tilt mechanism 29 as through chain 30, will impart apartial rotation to the tilt bar 28, in either direction, resulting in atilting actuation of the several slats 35 in either direction from theirnormal position of repose, each in a'horizontal plane, to positionsin-Which they are in partly over-lapped relation, resultingin alight-sealing closure asexemplified by Fig. 11.

By way of a general description of the as-' sembly for lifting the slatsof the blind, it will appear from Fig. 1 that the li'ftvbar v42 isprovided at each end witha laterally adjustable metal tenon assemblyj5l,hereinafter described in detail, and best'shown'by Fig. 9. To thisassembly is anchored, as through a turnbuckle or the like 52, a flexiblelifting element, preferably a stranded metal wire 53 of circularsection, and

by further preference, formed of stainless steel toobviate the effectsof rust or corrosion; The

wire 53 whichis anchored to the left hand end of the lifting bar 4 2,operates over a pulley54 mounted in a suitable pulley case carried byand located at the upper end of; the adjacent guide rail. This lift wirethence extends transversely of the assembly within a suitable groove'55in the head rail, thence over and downwardly from a pulley 56 similarand similarly mountedto the pulley 54. The lifting element such as 'a'wire 53 engaging the right hand end of the lift bar, passes upwardly andover a suitable pulley 51, the ends of the wires thenbeingbroughttogether and engagingja swivel coupling 58 connected to alifting cord 59. It may here be noted that the pulleys 56 and 51 mayboth be carried by one, say the right hand guide rail, and that each ofthe pulleys such as 54, 5 6 and'5l, may

be journalled on antifric'tion bearings, for ease of operation andsilence as well as to minimize lubrication attention. It is further to'be noted that the pulley 51 may be dispensed with, and that in thiscase both wires may be operated Infthis casejthe latter may be identicalwith the 'pulley assembly 54. 7 "It is further preferred,forconvenienceof installation, that the pulleys 55, and'51 when utilized, be mountedin the guide rail bymeans of a common pulley casing engaging'the upperend of the right hand guide rail; in the assembly s Q 'It will haveappeared that a downward movement of the swivel connection 58 to whichis connected the wires 53, will result, because of the arrangement ofpulleys; in a lifting; actuation of the bar 42 which, in turn,individually picks up and stacks the several slats.35 and '4I,"until-theblind is in'fully raised position. The aforesaid downward movement ofthe connection 5ll'is effected through downward movement of the adjacentend of the cord 59 which passes u'nder'and upwardly from a pulle'y; 55mounted in a suitable pulley case 56. .Thecord thence continuesover apulley'61, mounted in a suitable pulley case within and laterally of theright hand guide rall,

whence the cord extends outwardlythrough an automatic locking mechanism10 (not shown in detail) whence there is exposed exteriorly of the blindassembly-a portion II to be engaged for lifting actuation.

In the case of a blind assembly which by reason 7 of abnormal length,height or for other reasons required agreater liftingenergy, the liftingactuation of the cord portion] I is conveniently compoundedby securingthe ends of the round wires 5 53 to the case of a fall pulley (notshown).- The end of the operating cord may in this case be -attachedtothe case of the fixed pulleyat the lower end of the assembly, thencepasses over the fall pulley, thence downwardly to, and under the .10lower fixed pulley, thence upwardly over the upper fixedpulley, andoutthrough the locking'mechanism to aconvenient point .of actuation. Thecompounding structure is not presently. illustrated,l as involving onlythe addition of the fall pulley to the elements shown herein.

, Proceeding now to a description of certain of th features ofimprovementin the slat tenons; and guide provisions therefor,itwill bestappear from Fig. 4 that theleft hand-guide rail 2| is provided m with apair of inwardly presented, substantially verticalchannels I5 and 16. IIn the latter of these operates ,the lifting wire 5 3, which isthus kept,entirely'operatively independent of the slat tenons and slats, so as toprevent any possibility of g; ;interengagement with the wire, or foulingof either thereof. The channel 'I5is partly occupied by a longitudinallyextending metal channelforming-element, preferably formed-of aluminum,and indicated generally at- TI. This is characterized by a pair ofsubstantially parallel, resilient side portion I8, between which are' apair of convergently related guide groove-forming ele- .ments .80,connectedat the bottom of the grooveas through'a bridge piece 8 I. As ameans for '5 securing the metal channel-forming element 11 in thechannel I5, the strip is provided with a lateral flange 85, which, atregularly spaced intervals, is apertured, the apertures each being ofslotted form to engage anannular unthreaded undercut or reduced portionof a screw 86, which is threaded into the guide rail 2I. It will haveappeared that the provision of the channel element lI, coacting with thescrews 86, provides a guide-groove-forming member which maybe placed atdifferent depths within the channel I5, and hence with respect to theguide rail 2I,. at any predetermined points between the sill and headrail of the window opening. v

The opposite guide rail 22 may, if desired, be provided witha similarchannel-forming element such as H, but this is usually unnecessary sincea single such element will usually provide a range of adjustmentrequisite to compensate for irregularities in width of the windowopening between top and bottom, compensating as well for irregularity inangularity of the window-defining elements such as the jambs and sills.Accordingly, there is shown inthe assembly and in the detail of Fig. 4,a guidegroove 90 constituting a channel formed directly in the wood orother material of the guide rail 22. v This groove in the rail 22preferably corresponds in shape, section and dimensions to that formedin the metal element 11. vThe rail 22 is further provided with a. secondindependent groove 9 I, for the reception of the lifting wire on thisside of the assembly, and with channels 92 and 93 respectively, for thereception of cord portions 94 and-'95 consisting of parts of the liftingcord59 above described, and at times, portions of the lifting wire53above referred to. It is importantly to be noted that the rail 22 isprovided with a projection from its outside face, extending toward thecenter of the blind, and indicated at-IIlIl, and that theouter plateportion 7 'Ilof the metal guide channel is similarly-prowill best appearfrom Fig. 9 that the metal tenon assembly indicated generally at 5l- 1),in-

'vided, with a flange, I 0 I which projects. inwardly toward the centerof the blind somewhat further the itenons of each jof the slats 35.,the, ten ons being, indicatedat I05 and IIl6 respectively, on 10the'left andright hand ends (Fig. ,4) of veach slat. These 'tenons arecharacterized by converging or V-shape outline in plan, thusconforming'in generalshape to each of the guide grooves. This offers avery distinct advantage 'in that,"due to 15- the substantiallyreducedwidthf of the extremities of the. tenons and the, bottoms of the.guide grooves, the operating clearance between the tenons and grooves-isscarcely greater'whenthe slats are tilted, than when occupying theirhorizontal I go positions. In this manner, even though'the slats betilted to their fullest extent, there is minimized l the tendency fortheslats to rattlewithinithegrooves, due to windpressure and any othervibrating effects. The location of the-tenons disu tinctly rearwardly orback of thelongitudinal axis or center lineof each slat, results, whentheslat is tilted, in a marked reduction/in tendency of the slats to bedisplaced, each about its ownaxis, under theinfluence of wind or othercauses, thus 0 further reducing any tendency for -misalignment andrattling. It willfurther be-noted thata line connecting the liftingwires 53 (Fig, 1) is somewhat offset from the longitudinal axis or .median line of the slats. a 1 The preferencein mounting the blind, is tolocate the projection I00 and projecting flange 1 II, on thestreet sideor outside of the window, as distinguished from the inside or room sidethereof. In this manner, as will best appear o fromFig. 11, which.illustrates the slats as they" would appear if tilted completely, the.line open ing-otherwise and usually remaining-at the ends of the slat,is covered, as by the projection I00, thus precluding the entrance ofsubstantially any light, and rendering a vision-proof structure" which,besides offering all of the advantages of theVenetian blind, serves asacompletelsube stitute for window shades.

Proceeding now to a more complete description of the means by whichthelift bar islrept horlzontal at all times in order to obviate casual'tilting thereof, with resulting displacement of the slats from theirdesired horizontal position, it

cludes a mounting plate I I0 provided with a plurality o slotted screwapertures III, for the I reception of screws I I2, through which, themetal assembly may be secured at variable distances, endwise-of-thewoodportion of the bar 42in order; to-compensate for anyirregularity in or departure from standard 'widths of window openings.

plate I 2Il.. .Since the pivots are ofi centerwith respectyto theplatesI20, the provision; -oi-;an extraiaperture I'-I5A in-each plate- Ill,avoids the'necessity of separate right" and left-hand assemblies. .Theplate I20 is provided witha v projection or tooth' l22, and an open-sideaperture I25 for the reception of a bight or loop of the provisions bywhich, irrespective of angular "wire or the like I 26, engaging theturnbuckle 52 (Fig; 9)

Secured as by rivets I30,the plate I I3, is a leaf spring I3I tending tourge the plate I20 in a clockwise directioniFig. 10) about its pivotI15. I A second setof openings IA, are provided for the rivets I30, whenthe assembly is utilized at the opposite end of the bar. When in use thetension normally kept on the'wires 53 maintains the plates I20 in thepositions shown blind, to disengage the bottom rail and hence the slats,by incorrect lifting attempts. It will have appeared that themetal'tenon assembly and the described self-lockingfeature combinedtherewith, attains the dual purpose of providing a lateral or endwiseadjustable anchorage for assembling the-lifting wires to the lift bar,and also serves the noted purpose of preventing unequal lifting of theends of the bar. 1

The immediately ensuing description refers to irregularities in thejambs, sills and the like defining the window, the blind assembly properis 'kept so that its slats are in true, horizontal position. It willappear from Fig. 1; wherein is shown an exaggerated variation inheightof the window opening at its opposite sides, that the brackets 26 and 21carried by the head rail 23,

permit easy-and positive leveling of the pivoted 1 Figs. 5 and 6, aspreferably involving a pair of l..-'shaped brackets, one ofawhich isindicated at I40,'a horizontal leg portion of which is secured to theunder surface of the head rail as through screws extending through theopenings I. The vertical leg I42 of this bracket is provided with aplurality of adjustingapertures I43 for'the reception of a holdingorlocking pin I45. The l tter constitutes a projection on a swingable orpivoted member I46 pivoted at I41 on a projection I48 carried by thesecond major element of the bracket structure which includes a verticalleg element I50 and a horizontal leg or plate element I5I. 'To one ofthelatter, as through slotted screw openings 152; is secured the hanger forthe pivot on the free end of the tilt bar on the one side,and to anotherelement I5I, the tilting mechanism such-as 29, on the other side oftype, a prevalent difficulty exists in attaining'a' smooth joint and aneven abutment between the vertical or guide r'ails'and the head rail, inwin- "dow openings wherein the height of the opening is unequal at theopposite sides of the window, or wherein the top rail of the window andthe jambs, are out of true rectangular relation, or the jambs are ofunequal horizontal spacing in different parts of the window opening.Accordingly it has heretofore been impossible to precut at the time ofmanufacture,'either the'head rails to standard length, or the "guiderails to standard lengths, with any assurance of aneat cornerconstruction. A

To overcome thisdefect and to minimize the time and labor ofinstallation, the present Invention includes an improved corner fittingor connection piece, best illustrated by, Fig. 7. At the time ofshipment the rail 23 is equipped with the fitting indicated generally atI60. This includes a plate-like portion I6I, secured asby screws I62extending through horizontally 'slotted openings I63. The fittingI60-may thusbe adjusted right or left to the ends of the rail 23 in amannerto compensate for any increase or decrease from standard widthdimensions of the window opening. The adjustment possible is dependentof course, upon the'length of the slots- The elements I 65 and I66 areconnected to the" plate portion I6I, as through a horizontal connectingpiece I61, which, if desired, may extend somewhat about the end of thehead rail, thereunder as far as desired, and for a more completeengagement with therail may also be extended over the top rail face.From .this'form of connection it will appear that even though the guiderail 2I is not brought into abutment with the under surface of the headrail, the resulting recess will nevertheless be concealed by the plateportions I65 and I66 and that, similarly, even though the head rail 23'be too short to fill fully the horizontal space in this portion of thewindow opening-the plate portion I6I' will nevertheless fill out andcover anyremaining' recess at the ends of the rail. It results that, inappearance, the finished structure will always be the same orsubstantially the same, irrespective of the described windowirregularities. The fixture or connecting piece IE0 is formed of afairlyrigid or heavysheet metal, which is nevertheless sufficientlyflexible that when necessary, the rails 2I and 23 maybe brought somewhatout of per fect right angular relation without adversely affecting theappearance'of the corner connection or the strength of the joint inthis-zone. It may here be noted that the'fitting shown by- Fig. 7

to those indicated generally by location, at 24 and 25in the assembly ofFig. l.

is substantially similar in all important respects 55 Although notnecessary in many cases, in'the event of exaggerated misalignment orirregularities in the window elements, or whenotherwise desired forappearance of ornamentation, there may be applied'across the upper endof the blind assembly a valance board I10, which is conveniently securedin detachable relation-as byspring clips I1I, engaging the headrail'23.It will have appeared from the foregoing description that the assemblydescribed results in a Venetian blind that constitutesa more permanentand definite part of the window, at the same time maintains a pleasingappearance, and is more practical and durable in service than the blindsof guided type as heretofore constructed.

Due to the special shape of the tenons on the slats, and the fact thatthese are, closely similar in shape to the section of the grooves, thetenons will always be reasonably tight, except only for a desirableworking clearance, thus preventing any side motion of an extent'to causenoticeable noise. This is due in part to the fact that the presentinvention renders it possible for the first time, so far as is known, tobe assured that each of the slat tenons enters its channel or guidewa'y,at the same depth in every part of the blind, and that all of the tenonsof the different slats operate in the channels or guides with a uniformlateralclearance in any zone of their range of operation. v

Itwill also be apparent from the foregoing description thatby followingthe practice hereinabove outlined to afford the several adjustmentsdescribed, it has become possible for the first time, so far as isknown, to machinethe slats to lengths that assume a standard practice,rather than to lengths the exactness of which varies with eachindividual window opening,- according to the procedure heretoforeprevalently followed.

It will further appear that the present invention offers an importantimprovement in the art in the marked reductionof time and skill requiredfor successful and neat installation, irrespective of irregularities oithe elements defining the windows in and to which the blinds areinstalled.

It will have further appeared that the off-center placement andconstruction of the tenons, and the relation thereof to the guides, aswell as the provision of the ledge or shoulder (such as I) provides forthe first time, so far as is known, a substantially complete light sealwhen the blind slats are tilted fully to closed position, thuspreventing vision through the formerly prevailing spaces at the ends ofthe slats, and completely precluding the transfer of light through theslats, when such condition is desired.

In addition to the foregoing outstanding advantages, it will appear thatthe invention fully attains each of the several objects hereinaboveexpressly enumerated, as well as those implied from the description ofthe example disclosed.

While the invention has been described by making specific reference tothe assembly and the elements in their presently preferred form, suchdescription is not to be understood in a limiting sense, since numerouschanges may be made in the parts, as well as in their combinations andarrangements, without departing from the spirit and full intended scopeof the invention as defined by the claims hereunto appended.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a Venetian blind assembly, in combination with the slats; alift'rail therefor, a plurality of pulleys and flexible lifting elementsoperatively connected to the lift rail and operating over the pulleys,said lifting elements consisting of metal wire of stranded type, andbeing of substantially circular section, irrespective of reasonabletwisting or torsional effects, whereby to assure uniform engagement ofthe wire with the pulleys at all times.

2. In a Venetian blind assembly, in combination with the slats, a pairof vertical rails at opposite sides of the assembly, slat-gliding meansassociated with the vertical rails, lifting mechan sm for the slats,including pulleysand flexible tension members operable over the pulleys,the lifting mechanism being mounted on and carried entirely by thevertical rails, a head rail bridging the vertical rails, and elementsconnecting the head rail to the vertical rails, and adapted to permit alimited angular and distance variation therebetween without affectingthe lifting mechanism.

3. In a' frame structure for Venetian blinds of guided type including apair of opposed vertical guide rails, a head rail connecting the guiderails, lifting means carried by the guide rails, and members connectingthe head rail to the guide rails, so as to permit its connection to andremoval from the guide rails without affecting the operation of thelifting means, said members being formed to permit an adjustment 'of thehead rail distantly with respect to either of the guide rails.

4. In a Venetian blind of guided type including the slats together withlifting and tilting mechanism therefor, a pair of opposed vertical framemembers each constructed to provide therein a pair of channels, oneadapted to coact with the slats as a guide groove, and another adaptedto house a flexible tension element for lifting the slats of the blind.

5. In a Venetian blind assembly, in combination with the slats, togetherwith tilting and lifting mechanism therefor, a vertical elementconstituting a guide for the slats, means for adjusting said element inthe plane of the window opening to which the blind is fitted, thetilting mechanism including a tilt rail from which the slats aresuspended, hangers for the tilt rail and means for adjusting the lengthof said hangers to effect an angular adjustment of the tilt rail andelements suspended therefrom.

6. In a Venetian blind assembly of guided type, in combination with theslats together with tilting and lifting mechanism therefor, meansforming a slat guide, means associated with said guide permitting itsadjustment in a vertical plane, the lifting mechanism including a liftrail, a metal tenon on the lift rail, and means associated with thetenon permitting its adjustment endwise of the rail.

'7. In a Venetian blind assembly, in combination with the slats andtilting and lifting mechanism therefor, means forming a guide for theslats, means associated with the slat guide permitting its adjustment ina substantially vertical plane, a pair of vertical rails at the sides ofthe blind assembly, a head rail, a corner fitting connecting each of theverticalrails and the'head rail, and means associated with saidfastening, permitting a variation in spacing and angularity of theheadrail with respect to the adjacent vertical rail.

8. In a Venetian blind assembly, in'combination with the slats andlifting and tilting means therefor, the lifting means including a liftrail, a metal tenon at each end of the'liftrail adapted for adjustmentendwise of the rail to vary the effective overall length thereof, a pairof vertical rails, a head rail connecting the vertical.

rails, and a fitting connecting each end of the head rail and theadjacent vertical rail, each fitting providing for a variation inspacing and angularity of the head rail and adjacent vertical rail.

9. In a Venetian blind assembly, in combination with the slats togetherwith lifting and tilting mechanism therefor, a pair of vertical rails atopposite sides of the assembly, a head rail connecting the upper endportions of the vertical rails, a connecting member at each end of thehead rail and including means permitting a variable distance placementof the head rail and associated vertical rail as well as a slightvariation in angularity between said rails, said tilting mechanismincluding a tilt rail, endhang ers for the tilt rail, and meansassociated with said end hangers permitting the location and se- -slatguide, means associated therewith permitiingan adjustment of the slatguide in substanlift rail, means associated with said tenon elementspermitting a variation in their placement endwise of the rail so as tovary the effective overall length of the liftrail, the tilting mechanismincluding a tilt rail, a pair of independently adjustable hangers forpivotally supporting the ends of the tilt rail and enabling theadjustment thereof to a horizontal position, a pair of vertical railsatopposite sides of the assembly, a head rail connecting the upper endportions of the vertical rails, and a corner connection at each end ofthe head rail, engaging the adjacent vertical rail, and means associatedwith each of said connections permitting a variation in rail distanceplacements, as well as a variation in angularity of the head rail andeach of the side rails.

11. In a Venetian blind assembly of guided type, including a pluralityof slats, tenons on the ends of the slats, means forming guide groovesfor the tenons, the tenons and grooves each being of decreasing width,in a direction from the body of the slat toward the end of the tenon.

12. In a Venetian blind assembly of guided type, a plurality of slats,tenons on the ends of the slats, said tenons being disposedsubstantially off of the axis or longitudinal median line of each of theslats, and means forming a guide for each set of tenons,, the coactingguides and tenons being shaped to maintain a substantially uniformoperating clearance about the tenons, irrespective of the angle of tiltof the slats.

13. In a Venetian blind assembly of guided type, a plurality of slats.tenons on the ends of the slats, said tenons being formed integrallywith the slats, and disposed substantially off of the axis orlongitudinal median line of each of the slats, and means forming a guidefor each set of tenons, the coacting guides and tenons being shaped tomaintain a substantially uniform operating clear ance about the tenons,irrespective of the angle of tilt of the slats.

, 1 In a Venetian blind assembly of guided type, in combination with theslats, tenons on the ends of the slats, means forming guide grooves forthe tenons, lifting means for the slats including a pair of oppositelydisposed flexible tension elements located beyond the ends of the slats,the tenons being located beyond or offset from the axes or longitudinalmedian lines of the slats, and the flexible lifting elements beingarranged to operate in a plane beyond said median lines of the slats.

15. In a Venetian blind of guided type, including a plurality of slatsand tenons on the slats, a stationary guide element for the tenons and aprojection on said guide element presented toward the center of theblind, and adapted to be overlapped by the slats when in fully tiltedposition.

l6. In a Venetian blind assembly including a plurality of slats, tenonson the slats, means forming a guide element for the tenons, each of theslats being provided with an undercut or recess portion near at leastone of its ends, a strip carried by the guide element adjacent theundercut portions of the slats, and adapted, in certain positions of theslats, to extend into said recess.

17. In a Venetian blind assembly including a plurality of slats, tenonson the slats, said tenons being of tapering width from the body of theslat toward the extremity of each of the tenons, means forming a guideelement for the tenons, said guide element providing a groove oftapering width, corresponding substantially to the taper of the tenonsengaged thereby, each of the slats bein provided with an undercut orrecess portion 2% one of its ends, a stripcarried by the guide elementadjacent the undercut portions of the slats, and adapted, in certainpositions of the slats, to extend into said recess.

18. In a Venetian blind assembly of the guided type, including aplurality of slats, means forming a guide channel for end portions ofthe slats, lifting means for the slats including a pair of normallyvertical flexible tension elements and a lift bar operatively engaged bysaid elements, the flexible tension elements being arranged to operatein a substantially vertical plane, substantially offset from thelongitudinal median lines or axes of the several slats.

19. In a Venetian blind assembly including the slats together withlifting and tilting mechanism therefor, a lift bar constituting anelement of the lifting mechanism, means forming a guide groove near eachend of the lift bar, a tenon member carried by each end of the lift bar,and means associated with the tenons and bar, permitting an adjustmentof the tenon member in a direction endwise of the bar.

20. In a Venetian blind assembly including the slats, lifting mechanismtherefor including a lift bar, means forming guide grooves for the liftbar, located laterally of the bar and slats, elements carried near theends of the bar, and each projecting into one of the guide grooves,resilient means tending to urge said elements into an extended relationendwise of the bar, and flexible lifting members operatively connectedwith said elements, for lifting the bar, and arranged, when undertension, to maintain the elements into a relatively retracted andoperative relation with respect to said grooves.

21. In a Venetian blind assembly including the slats and liftingmechanism therefor including the lift bar,'means forming guide channelsfor the lift bar, elements pivotally mounted near the ends of the barand each projecting into one of the guide channels, spring means tendingto urge said pivoted elements about their pivots into a relativelyextended relation and into engagement with wall portions of the guidechannels whereby to support the bar therein, and flexible liftingmembers operatively connected with said elements and coacting therewithfor lifting the bar, said lifting members being arranged, when undertension, to maintain the said elements in a relatively retractedposition against said spring means, and in a position such that saidelements will coact as tenons in guided relationto said channels.

22. In a Venetian blind assembly including the slats, and liftingmechanism therefor including a lift bar, means forming guide grooves forthe lift bar, elements carried near the ends of, and endwise adjustablewith respect to the bar, and each projecting into one of the guidegrooves, spring means tending to bias said elements into an extendedrelation endwise of the bar, irrespective of their adjusted securementthereto, and flexible lifting members operatively connected with saidelements for lifting the bar, and arranged when tensioned, to maintainsaid elements in a rela-v tively retracted and operative relation withrespect to the grooves in which the elements operate.

23. In a Venetian blind assembly of guided type, including the slats andactuating mechanism therefor, a stationary, substantially vertical railnear one side of the assembly, adapted to be secured within a windowopening to which the blind is fitted, a grooved member carried by therail and coacting with the slats in guiding relation thereto, and meansfor adjusting different portions of said groove member into and out ofparallelism with respect to said rail.

24. In combination with a Venetian blind assembly of guided typeincluding the slats and lifting mechanism therefor, a vertical railsecured at one side of the blind and provided with a groove, and agrooved member extending into the groove of the rail, and providing aslat-guide channel, said grooved member being adjustable depthwise withrespect to the groove in said rail.

25. In combination with a Venetian blind assembly of guided typeincluding the slats and lifting mechanism therefor, a vertical railsecured at one side of the blind and provided with a groove, and agrooved member extending into the groove of the rail and providing aguide channel for the blind, said grooved member being adjustabledepthwise with respect to the groove in said rail, the grooved memberbeing laterally resilient and approximating in width, the width of thegroove in the vertical rail, whereby said member is compressible intothe rail groove in variable angular relations to the rail.

26. In combination in a Venetian blind assembly of guided type, avertical rail at one side of the assembly, provided with a longitudinalrecess, and an elongate metal member of channel section, so disposedthat its channel will guidingly engage an end portion of the slats, andmeans spaced along the metal channel member for positively securing itsdifferent zones in predetermined angular relation with respect to thevertical rail.

27. As an article of manufacture, a metal guide element of channelsection adapted for use in guidingly engaging the end of slats ofVenetian blinds, the element being characterized by a pair of oppositelydisposed substantially parallel side members, and an interveningtapered-channel forming portion.

28. As an article of manufacture, a channeled strip formed of metal forguidingly engaging the end portions of the slats of Venetian blinds, thestrip being characterized by a channel which is symmetrical intransverse section, and a projection from said channel forming portion,extended in a direction toward the center of the associated blind, andadapted to be overlapped by portions of the slats when tilted, so as toprovide a lightseal therewith, in the end zones of the slats.

29. As an article of manufacture, a channeled aluminum strip adapted formounting in a substantially vertical position for guiding coaction withthe ends of Venetian blind slats, the strip including a plurality ofapertured lateral projections, a screw element extended through theaperture of each projection, the screws each having an annular groove soas to provide an unthreaded portion operable within the associatedprojection and engaging its opposite sides for adjusting movement,whereby the strip may be adjustably secured with its different zones indifferent angular relation to the adjacent portion of the'vertical railor the like.

30. In combination with a Venetian blind assembly, together with theslats and tilting mechanism therefor, including a pivoted tilt bar, ananchorage plate, a plate for supporting the tilt bar, and means forsecuring said plates in predetermined, variable spaced relations.

31. The combination in a Venetian blind together with the slats andtilting mechanism therefor, including a pivoted tilt bar, an anchorageplate for supporting the tilt bar in pivoted relation, and including aflat member for securement to a supporting surface above the bar, adepending leg carried by said flat member and provided with a pluralityof vertically spaced apertures, a support plate for the pivot formingstructure and tilt bar, and means on said support plate for selectiveengagement with said apertures, whereby to provide a variation invertical spacing of the support plate and the overlying support.

32. An adjustable hanger for the tilt bar of a Venetian blind assembly,including a pair of L- shaped elements each comprising a normallyhorizontal leg and a normally vertical leg, the horizontal legs adaptedrespectively for secure ment to an overlying horizontal support, and fora pivot-forming structure carrying the tilt bar, one of the verticallegs being provided with a plurality of vertically spaced apertures, anda pivotally-mounted pin carried by the other said vertical leg, andadapted selectively for engagement with said apertures to provide for avariation in vertical spacing of the horizontal legs, and meansassociated with at least one of the vertical legs for maintaining themin slidably associated assembly. I

33. In a Venetian blind assembly of a type including vertical andhorizontal frame elements such as vertical rails and a head rail, afitting for connecting the angularly related frame elements, saidfitting including parts forming a pair of substantially rectangularlyrelated seats, the fitting being provided with apertures for fasteningmeans, at least some of said apertures being of elongate form andcoacting with the fastening means to'enable an adjustment of 'thefitting, in a direction endwise of one of the frame elements to besecured in assembly thereby.

34. As an article of manufacture, a corner bracket for joining inassembly a vertical rail and a head rail of a Venetian blind frame, saidbracket including a pair of substantially rectangularly related elementsforming seats adapted at least partially to embrace the ends of therails to be connected thereby.

35. As an article of manufacture, a corner bracket for joining inassembly a vertical rail and a head rail of a Venetian blind frame, saidbracket including a pair of substantially rectangularly related elementsforming pockets adapted to embrace the ends of the rails to be connectedthereby, at least one of said pocket-forming portions being providedwith slotted screwreceiving openings, whereby to permit a variableendwise placement of the fitting With respect to at least one of therails to be assembled by means of the fitting.

